Friday, July 3, 2009

My pictures of my Igma attempts this spring. It didn't work out very well and I have been sad about it to be true. I didn't get the title of Igma artisan this time. Here is some of the critique I got: The cheesecake looked dirty,(I think it is the way a "carmelisation" happen) and the fruit was floating in the air. The olives were to big (I can agree on that one..lol Linda;) The tomato didn't look correct! The leaf on the celery wasn't good enough. Oh well a bit true, but come on!!..The piping bag looked like a "blop" and the accessories wasn't good enough here. The fish was a bit undefined, and they diden't like my lemon. I cant remember anything bad about the bread..Though they did say that they liked my cupcakes. Thank heavens;)

Hi Rosanna. I am glad that you are with me:)) If you look closely and I am sure they do, you can see the little strawberry on the slice is not touching the cream! I am happy that you like my cupcake board. Hugs, Christel

Hi Christel, I'm sorry that IGMA were so picky with your beautiful submissions! I don't mind saying as I'm not a member... but in my opinion they were being ridiculously stupidly picky!!! I can slightly see what they imply about the floating strawberry (but I would say that it is balanced as it would be in a slice just cut) and the slightly large olives... but come on IGMA!!! Try not to take it too personally Christel, you are one of the very best miniature food artisans out there!!! loads of mini hugs, Vicky x

Christel, I agree with Vicky, you certainly are one of the best! I adore my halloween table with all its wonderful goodies and your cupcakes are heavenly! I think they are extremly rude comments, not particularly helpful critisisms at all! If it were me i would be tempted to as we say in the UK ' stick their membership where the sun dont shine'!!!! Kate xxx

All of these are spectacular Christel, I totally agree with Vicky about IGMA being ridiculously picky! I'm in awe of your miniatures, I have no doubt you will have title of artisan very soon - you're an unbelievable talent.

Dearest Christel, It must be very hard not to take this critisism personally, but I agree with all above, I love your work, I think it is amazing!!...I would certainly be very proud to own any of these pieces. I guess you will try again, I wish you all the very best, but remember we all love it...just the way it is!!

Christel, we all love your work, so take no notice of their comments. As everyone else has said they are being too picky and how many of them have bothered to share their hints and tips like you do with your wonderful videos..Big Hugs xxx

Thanks:) It sure isn't easy being an artist all the time. What I can say now is that I hopefully will be stronger and better from it and maybe that is not a bad thing either. Your words means so much. Thanks and big hugs from me:)Christel

I see the little strawberry floating :DBut ok, they were harsh! And I really don't see the pb with the fish?? (my BF neither!)I'm sorry for you and it just makes me freak out for myself, I wanted to try to become IGMA artisan as well next May ><

But Christel, hear your fans, your work is great and beautiful! And it's not a jury probably made of old mean women which will tell you your work is bad! (and I think they ate something wrong this day, one can't be that picky!! seriously...)

You still belong to the top 10 in the miniature food world for me, IGMA or not!

Your miniature food is amazing! I want to be as good as you! I'm just a beginner and you're a big inspiration to be! I love everything you do! No matter what they said, I think your food is good enough to eat!

I personally would not ever want to be an IGMA Arisan.I don't agree with it and think they are so far up their own (you know what)!I have looked at their site and think them to be a bit more than snotty.Your work is beautiful, perfectly scaled and with a good eye to the tiniest of details.Everything showing here is out of this world and they should have been proud to have you as one of their members.I've seen work by IGMA artisans that are no way near the standard of your work.Keep up the fantastic work, laugh at them and be proud of everything you make.

SHAME!!!This is an absolute disgrace, you shouldn't even bother about joining them. We will never, and we insist on remaining independant.

Whatever they don't like about your work, it's still a lot better than what several "official" Igma food artisans - or even fellows - offer regularly here and there...Some people got the status years ago and use the logo to sell ...."whatever" (I don't want to be rude!). The mighty IGMA should play a role in controlling the quality of their artisans' work...if they can't then they stand for NOTHING!

And keep in mind that there might a conflict of interest inside the jury....and more...are you still an artisan if you stop paying the annual fee...?

Hi First again thank you for believing in me;) I also think it is healthy both for artists and the organizations that it is allowed to bring out some steam once in a while. We all can improve and I am certainly no exception. Stay creative folks:)

Your work is lovely Christel and this will only make you BETTER....You are already SO good so can you just imagine. You have alot of people who love your things and that is what counts.But wouldn't you agree that each time you make something it is better than the last?The funny thing is looking at food in real life Olives can be bigger than each other and stawberries don't all touch the cream.Mini hugs!Kim

In contrast to Paris Miniatures' comment..I actually believe that IGMA is trying very hard to promote the field of miniatures as an art in its own right, & that as such they are very critical & to be honest in so many cases they "get it right". They are not interested in the "monetary" gain from a miniature, rather the aesthetic & artistic qualities shown in the work. When they refuse a submission, they send a detailed &, I found, very helpful critique...all I know is that my attention to the finer detail & overall reality of my miniatures improved so much after my failed Artisan submission.I am proud to be an IGMA artisan, not for monetary reasons...more pride that fellow artists deem my work to be good enough. I thank them for giving their time & considerable, combined expertise in the field to help miniaturists the world over improve the standard of their work.Christel you know my opinion....take what they say on board & there's absolutely no doubt that you'll get there, and it IS WORTH it for your own sense of pride & satisfaction. IGMA remains the only organisation to inspire the improvement of artists & reward this with the recognition of fellow artisans!

We're wondering why a message of genuine support for Christel has been taken with such exception by Linsminis?

We weren't the only ones to express our feelings about IGMA and others seem to have gone further than we did. Others calling IGMA "old mean women" and "more than snotty" don't deserve your attention?! Funny comments BTW!

I stand by my point that IGMA should be responsible for the quality of their artisans' work after the "official" judging...

No great exception taken! We have all given Christel genuine support & if there was another comparable organisation to further miniatures as an artform in Europe don't you think that would be good? As it stands at the moment though, we have no such organisation & I believe it's a good thing for the art to have goals to reach. The problem is that,as with all artforms, the view of any given piece is so subjective....one thing is for sure though...Christel's work will become even better as she is determined to "sock it to them"!!! :-))

Miniature artist Christel Jensen from Norway. I make food, flowers and other small items in 1/12 scale. I use polymer clay to make the little art objects. I also like to reconstruct furnitures and make small interior designs in a trendy vintage style. My art is sold at fairs and on Etsy.
Contact info:
christel.jensen@barum.online.nohttp://www.littletreasure.no/